Sights of Vilnius: a walk through the Lithuanian capital

Vilnius is one of the oldest and largest cities Europe, the capital of Lithuania. The city was founded in 1323 at the confluence of the Vilnia and Neris rivers. According to the medieval tradition, Vilnius began to be built around the City Hall.

The capital of Lithuania is often called the Baroque city. The fact is that there are a lot of churches, temples, mansions and towers in it, the architecture of which is made in this medieval style.

The Old City of Vilnius is officially recognized by UNESCO as the largest architectural and historical complex in Eastern Europe.

The sights of Vilnius can be divided into 2 groups:

Monuments that are located in the Old Town and belong to the period of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. So, in the Old City you can see houses and buildings that were built in the 15-16th centuries.
Buildings, monuments, museums and other attractions that appeared in Vilnius from the end of the 18th century to the present day. These sights are conventionally located in the New Town of Vilnius.

St. Stanislaus Cathedral and Cathedral Square

The Cathedral is located on the Cathedral Square and looks like classical temples Ancient Greece. In Vilnius, there is a belief that until the 18th century, on the site of the cathedral, there was a temple of the pagan thunder god Perkunas, with a huge altar on which a great fire was constantly burning to please the god of lightning.

First building cathedral was erected in the middle of the 18th century, and at the end of the 19th century it was already rebuilt in the Gothic style. However, at present the cathedral is a prime example neoclassical style, the modern building of the cathedral was designed by the famous Lithuanian architect Laurynas Gucevicius.

All the great Lithuanian princes were crowned in the Vilnius Cathedral. The most picturesque part of the cathedral is the chapel (chapel) of St. Casimir, which was built in 1623-1636. The famous Italian architect and sculptor Constantino Tencalla was engaged in decorating the chapel.

The church bell tower was built separately from the cathedral and consists of 4 levels, which belong to different architectural styles: from gothic style the lower tier of the bell tower and to classicism in the uppermost tier.

There is also a tile with the inscription Stebuklas ("Miracle") in the square, where you can make a wish by stepping on the tile and turning around three times. The tile was installed in honor of the "human chain" into which the inhabitants Baltic countries gathered to protest against Soviet power (1989).

Hill of Three Crosses

A beautiful view of the Old City opens from the top of the Hill of Three Crosses located next to the Tower of Gediminas, on which the Crooked Castle used to stand. The hill itself is part of the municipal park.

There are several versions of the appearance of crosses on the hill. According to legend, on the Hill of Three Crosses, the Franciscan monks died at the hands of pagans in the 14th century, although the legend has no documentary evidence. Some historians believe that the crosses on the hill were erected in honor of Vilnius receiving Magdeburg rights.

Aushros Gate (Gate of Dawn, Sharp Gate)

The Aushros Gate is the only surviving gate of the city's defensive wall. The gate was built in the middle of the 16th century and opened the way to the village of Medininkai. The facade of the gate is decorated with griffins, symbolizing state power Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and on the frieze under the bell tower is inscribed "Grieving Mother".

In the 17th century, the monks built a chapel at the top of the gate, in which the miraculous icon is now kept. Mother of God Ostrobrama (Vilnius Madonna) by an unknown artist from the early 17th century. The miraculous icon is a shrine for both Catholics and Orthodox. Thus, lists of the icon are kept in the Basilica of St. Peter (Rome) and the Church of St. Severin (Paris).

Tower and Castle of Gediminas

The Gediminas Tower, named after the founder of the city, is part of the Mountain Castle. The tower houses one of the sections of the National Museum of Lithuania dedicated to the history of Vilnius, and from the top of the tower offers one of the best views of the capital of Lithuania.

The tower is all that remains of the most powerful fortifications of the Upper Castle of Gediminas, located on a 48-meter hill.

Monument to Gediminas

Prince Gediminas is considered the founder of Vilnius. It was in his letter that the "capital city of Vilna" was mentioned for the first time.

In 1996, a monument was erected in honor of the Grand Duke of Lithuania on the Cathedral Square near the Castle Hill. The monument depicts Gediminas as a brave warrior - in armor, a helmet, with a sword and a war horse.

The Church of St. Anne is a striking example of brick Gothic, whose pediment is recognized as one of the greatest masterpieces of architecture. There is no consensus regarding the architect and the time of construction of the church.

There is a version that the architect of the Church of St. Anne was Benedikt Rejt, who built the cathedral in Prague. But this version, like the popular legend that Napoleon wanted to transport the church to Paris, has no documentary evidence, but it is known for certain that 33 types of brick were used to build the church.

Church of the Holy Spirit

The dome of the Dominican church is a monument of late baroque architecture, towering over the Old Town of Vilnius. The church was built in 1408, during the reign of Prince Gediminas.

The external design of the church is modest, but the interior decoration of the church in the rococo style impresses with splendor and splendor. The church is also known for its massive dungeons of several floors and the largest burials of approximately the 17th-18th centuries.

Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul

The Church of the Holy Apostles is a famous baroque church with 2,000 stucco statuettes. The modern church was built by Hetman Mykolas Kazimieras Patsas in 1676, later it was decorated with stucco molding and frescoes.

There are 9 altars in the church, the main altar is in the name of the holy apostles Peter and Paul (the rest are Jesus Antokolsky, the Virgin Mary, the Five Wounds of Jesus and others).

Church of Saint Teresa and Carmelite Monastery

The construction of the church began in 1630, the architecture of the building is made in the late baroque style. In 1763-1765 the interior of the church was completed with frescoes and sculptures, in 1783 a chapel was added to the church.

The buildings of the baroque monastery were built in the 17th century. The monks of the Carmelite Order devoted their lives to charity, taking care of the elderly, widows and orphans.

Church of Saint Paraskeva

The Church of St. Paraskeva (Pyatnitskaya Church, Temple of the Holy Martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa) is a modest Orthodox church in Vilnius, which is considered the first stone Christian church in the city.

One of the oldest churches was originally built of wood and suffered from fires more than once, so a stone task was built in the 16th century.

In this church, a thanksgiving service for the victory over the Swedish king Charles XII was served by Peter the Great, and great-grandfather Pushkin was also baptized.

Trakai castle

Prince Gedim founded this castle in 1320, 28 kilometers west of Vilnius, making it his capital. Trakai - small town, surrounded by a lake, in which the July Trakai Festival is held annually.

Most of Trakai is an island about 2 kilometers long. Lake Galve washes the castle from the north, there are 21 islands in total.

Vilnius University

The university is considered one of the oldest educational institutions Eastern Europe, was founded by the monks of the Jesuit Order in 1579.

The university complex (university campus) was formed over several centuries, so it includes buildings of various architectural styles: from Gothic and Renaissance to Classicism and Baroque. Currently, Vilnius University has 12 faculties and about 23,000 students.

Lithuanian Art Museum (Lithuanian Art Museum)

The Lithuanian Art Museum is the largest of the country's museums, it has several components (moreover, some of them are located outside Vilnius). So we can distinguish the following museums, which are part of Lithuanian Museum Arts:

Museum of Applied Arts.
Vilnius Art Gallery.
Palace of the Radziwills.
Clock Museum.
Museum of Miniatures.
Gallery of Pranas Domšaitis.
Vytautas Kasiulis Art Museum.
National Art Gallery.
Palanga Amber Museum.

As of January 1, 1998, the collection of the Lithuanian Museum of Art included 200,237 exhibits.

Museum of Genocide Victims

The museum is located in former building KGB, where for 50 years the crimes of the Soviet regime were planned and committed. Museum visitors can see:

The former inner prison of the KGB.
The place where death sentences were carried out.
Modern expositions dedicated to the repressions of the Soviet authorities and the struggle to restore the independence of Lithuania.

Europa Park

Europa Park is a contemporary art museum open sky, is located 20 minutes drive from the center of the capital of Lithuania.

The creation of the park began in 1991 on the initiative of the Lithuanian sculptor Gintaras Karosas. Over 100 sculptures created by sculptors are located in the open air on the territory of the park of 55 hectares. different countries peace.

Vilnius is quiet cozy city Lithuania, located at the confluence of the two rivers Neris and Vilna, surrounded by picturesque wooded hills. This city perfectly combines antiquity with modernity: secluded medieval courtyards, narrow streets, military fortifications, churches, churches, towers, cozy cafes and restaurants, comfortable hotels. The attractiveness of the Lithuanian capital is due to its colossal historical past, the most magnificent monuments of architecture and culture and, of course, marvelous nature.

The sights of Vilnius reflect, first of all, its many faces and diversity.

By right, the city of Vilnius is considered one of the most beautiful and oldest cities Europe. Anyone who has visited it at least once will forever leave an indelible impression in his soul, because this is the very place where you want to return again and again.

What should be seen?

Typically, almost every European capital has its own distinctive symbols and features: in Paris - the Eiffel Tower, in London - Big Ben, in Moscow - the Kremlin, but the main attraction of Vilnius - Old city.

The Old City is the largest historical center in Eastern Europe, included in the list world heritage UNESCO, and combining a mixture of a wide variety of styles: baroque, renaissance, classicism, gothic. It has about 70 quarters. The main sights of the Old Town include Gediminas Castle, Cathedral Square, Vilnius University, the ancient Piles Street, St. Anne's Church, the Gate of Dawn.

The symbol of the city, with which a beautiful story is connected. According to legend, the Lithuanian prince Gediminas dreamed of a wolf that howled serenely, standing on a high hill. The prince decided that this dream was prophetic and ordered to build a castle on this site, next to which the city of Vilnius itself began to form. To date, tourists can see only one Tower of Gediminas, where the museum is located with an exposition that has preserved the history of the city, as well as the remains of the fortress walls and the ruins of the castle itself. On the castle tower Observation deck, which offers breathtaking enchanting views of Vilnius.

Cathedral Square- one of the main squares of Vilnius, located near the Cathedral of St. Stanislav and Vladislav. On this square in 1996 a monument to Prince Gediminas was erected, reminding the townspeople of their great past. The square is the busiest place in the city: fairs, festivities, rallies, military processions, concerts, New Year's Eve are held here every year.

University of Vilnius- the oldest university in Eastern Europe, a major scientific center, the founder of which was the Lithuanian king Stefan Batory. Famous graduates of Vilnius University were such political and public figures as Evaldas Ignatavičius, Tomas Venclov, Laimonas Tapinas, Adam Mickiewicz and many others. The university complex combines a mixture of different architectural styles, representing a colorful ensemble of architecture: galleries; arcades; halls decorated with frescoes; patios of various sizes. Its complex also includes the church of St. John, the church of St. John with a bell tower. In addition, Vilnius University has the oldest library, which contains about 180 rare books and magazines.

Piles- the most ancient and elegant street of the Old Town, which has very picturesque city views, numerous architectural and cultural - historical sights, cozy cafes and gourmet restaurants, museums, souvenir shops, amber shops. This is one of the most popular and favorite places for walking both among tourists and local residents of the city. IN warm weather, on holidays and weekends you can meet street musicians on Piles. Festive festivities and various fairs are rarely held on it.

Gate of Dawn- the most important historical and national monument Vilnius. The main facade of the gate is decorated with sculptures of griffins holding the coat of arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in their claws. The Gate of Dawn is the only gate that has preserved the city wall and the chapel. In the chapel of the gate there is an icon of the Holy Virgin Mary, which attracts a huge number of people who wish to cling to her image in the hope of being cured of illnesses and ailments.

Churches and churches

The sights of Vilnius are very diverse, because sometimes it is called the city of cathedrals, churches, temples and churches.

This is a great masterpiece of late Lithuanian Gothic, which is a symbol of Vilnius, its calling card. The church impresses with its openwork, grace and lightness. There was even a legend around it, according to which Napoleon, enchanted by its beauty, wanted to transfer this most beautiful building in the palm of his hand to Paris. It is known that 33 types of bricks were used during its construction. Thanks to this, the building has a very interesting texture and unique patterns.

The Cathedral-Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Vladislav is the most important Catholic church not only in Vilnius, but throughout Lithuania, which is the venue for folk, Christian and state celebrations.

Once upon a time, famous princes, nobles and bishops of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were buried in its dungeon: King Vladislav Vasa, Elizabeth of Habsburg, Barbora Radvilaitė, Vytautas the Great. The main attraction of the cathedral is the baroque chapel of St. Casimir, which leaves an indelible impression: the walls are made of black, white and brown marble; a unique pulpit of the 18th century, shaped like a cube; wooden statues of Lithuanian rulers of the 18th century, covered with silver.

Church of Saints Francis and Bernardine- architectural monument Vilnius Gothic of the 16th century, which has a defensive appearance: red brick walls, 19 embrasures, 3 towers. The main treasure of the temple is 14 altars made of stone and wood. The church also houses the oldest crucifix in Lithuania. In addition, the church is famous for its collection of beautiful tombstones.

One of the most outstanding baroque monuments in Lithuania, distinguished by its unique interior. Outside, the church looks very stern and restrained, but the interior decoration is quite colorful and diverse: it has over 2,000 human faces and figures.

Church of the Holy Spirit- home Orthodox Church Lithuania, built according to the plan of the Latin cross and symmetrical silhouette with two towers. interior The church is decorated with the most valuable works of baroque art: a three-tiered iconostasis. It contains the relics of Saints Eustrachius, Ivan and Anthony. Today at the temple there is a male and convents the only ones in the whole city.

Museums

One of the largest warehouses in the country cultural and historical Lithuanian heritage. Currently, it houses about 1 million exhibits. Museum expositions show the periods of expansion and creation of the Lithuanian state. Selected topics dedicated to the life, traditions and customs of Lithuanian peasants, their culture and craft.

House - museum of Kazys Varnelis- home of the famous Lithuanian stained glass artist. It presents various collections that are of great value: Renaissance furniture, ancient graphics, sculpture, painting, a collection of oriental art and the abstraction of Varnelis himself.

Sights of Vilnius

There are a lot of sights in Vilnius, you can’t get around everything in a few days. Those that will be discussed in this article do not claim to be the best or most interesting, here are the places that we liked the most, for which reasons we will tell in this article. We offer you to immediately get acquainted with the entire list of attractions.

Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania and the National Museum of Lithuania
Tower (castle) of Gediminas and Three Crosses
Botanical Garden of J.E. Geliber and Gediminas Avenue
Vilnius University and St. John's Church
Presidential Palace and Church of the Holy Cross
Literatu Street and Church of St. Michael
Piles Street and Pyatnitskaya Church
City Hall and Town Hall Square
Church of St. Casimir and Basilian Gate
Holy Spirit Church and Roman Catholic Church of St. Teresa
Aushros Gate (Sharp gate)
Hales Turgus Market and Sculpture Easter Egg
Church of All Saints and Choral Synagogue

In order to make it convenient to navigate where all these sights are located and how it is more convenient to get to them, at the bottom of the article there is a map on which marks with coordinates are marked.

What to see in Vilnius – 1st day

We propose to start the first route in Vilnius from the Cathedral Square - the center of modern Vilnius, on which the Cathedral of St. Stanislav and Vladislav and the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania are located. Let's look at the National Museum of Lithuania and climb to the main attraction - the Gediminas' Tower. We will have a rest in the city park - the Geliber botanical garden.

And in the evening we will walk along the main avenue of Vilnius - Gediminas, where you can have a great time shopping or enjoying freshly brewed beer in one of the local breweries. Well, now about all this in more detail.

Cathedral Square and Gediminas Monument

Cathedral Square in Vilnius is one of the main squares of the city, which is conveniently located in historical center, at the intersection of Gediminas Avenue and the old Pilies street. On the square and next to it, there are the most popular sights of Vilnius and festivities are held here for the townspeople, new year celebrations and other activities.

On the square are the Cathedral and the Palace of the Lithuanian princes, about them a little lower, as well as the bell tower and the monument to Gediminas.

The four-tiered bell tower, 57 meters high, is located at the main entrance to the Cathedral. The bell tower was repeatedly reconstructed, the bells were changed, repairs were carried out, but now you can hear the most beautiful play of bell ringing.

The central place on the Cathedral Square is occupied by a bronze monument to the founder of Vilnius - Grand Duke Gediminas.

A popular place among tourists is under the Gediminas monument.

Cathedral of Saints Stanislaus and Vladislav

Here, on the square, one of the main architectural monuments of Vilnius is located - the Cathedral of St. Stanislav and Vladislav. This cathedral is a key building on the cathedral square, located at the foot of the Castle Hill.

Cathedral for your centuries of history also rebuilt several times. Now we can see massive columns from the side of the main entrance to the temple, as well as statues of Saints above the facade: in the middle is a statue of St. Helena with a gilded cross, St. Stanislav on the left, St. Casimir on the right.

Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania

The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania, or as it is more commonly called the Palace of Rulers in Vilnius, is also located on the central square, next to the Cathedral of Saints Stanislav and Vladislav. This architectural monument was completely recreated during the years of the modern Republic of Lithuania.

Currently, the building of the palace houses the National Museum, which is described below. A best view to the Palace of Rulers opens from the tower of Gediminas.

National Museum of Lithuania

The former Vilna Museum of Antiquities, and now the State Historical Museum, is also located at the foot of the Castle Hill in Vilnius. It contains collections and expositions related to the most important historical events Lithuania.

In front of the entrance to the National Museum there is a monument to the Lithuanian King Mindovg.

Tower (castle) of Gediminas

Perhaps one of the most popular sights of modern Vilnius is the Gediminas Tower, located on the Castle Hill and towering over the entire city, from which it opens beautiful view to the historical center and the whole of Vilnius.

If the weather is good and sunny during your trip to Vilnius, we definitely recommend climbing the tower. The ascent takes about half an hour, along a stone-paved path, so you should bring comfortable shoes with you. For those who have not done this, the prudent Lithuanians offer to climb the Gediminas' Tower with the help of a funicular.

Since now the tower of Gediminas is one of the branches historical museum, then it houses various expositions on a historical theme.

three crosses

The monument in the form of three white crosses is located on the Three-Cross Mountain of the same name, which was previously Bald Mountain. According to legend, the monks who remained to rule in the city were crucified on these crosses, at a time when Prince Olgerd and the city governor went to war.

We did not go up to the monument itself, taking a few shots from afar, but on one of our next trips to Vilnius, we will definitely see this attraction closer.

Botanical Garden J.E.Geliber

After intense ascents to the Gediminas Tower and to the monument of the Three Crosses, we invite you to take a break in the botanical garden of Gelibera, surrounded by greenery. Here you can take a leisurely walk along the narrow paths, or sit on benches in the shade of trees.

Gediminas Avenue

Well, at the end of the first day, we suggest going to main street Vilnius - Gediminas Avenue. Here you can have a great evening walking along a straight, about 2 km long avenue or go shopping, which are a lot on Gediminas, and of course look into brewery cafes that brew excellent Lithuanian beer.

Most tourists, including us, choose Gediminas Avenue to stay for the night. This is very convenient, both in terms of location to the main attractions, and in terms of the variety of hotels and apartments to choose from.

Here are some of them, ideal in terms of price-quality-location ratio:

Fabrika Hostel & Gallery. Rating - 8.5. The price is 10 euros.
Opera House Hostel Centre. Rating - 8.8. The price is 12 euros.
Danarent Tilto Apartment. Rating - 8.9. The price is 35 euros.
Hotel Senatoria. Rating - 7.7. The price is 41 euros.

Read more about all the nuances of renting an apartment in Vilnius in this article:

Restaurant Prie Katedros is the most delicious (in our opinion) freshly brewed beer in Vilnius.
Yoyo Frozen Yogurt is a good place to cool off in hot weather and eat delicious yogurt ice cream.
Soul & Pepper Restaurant - perfect place to have a delicious meal and spend an unforgettable evening in Vilnius.

What to see and where to go in Vilnius – 2nd day

The route of the 2nd day will start again from the historical center, from the famous Vilnius University. We will walk around the Presidential Palace, see the churches of the Holy Cross and St. Michael, wander along the narrow street Literatu and enjoy the indescribable beauty of the Church of St. Anna.

Well, towards the end of the route we will go to the old Piles street, where we will try the most delicious zeppelins in Vilnius, Italian ice cream and much more.

This oldest and largest university in Lithuania is located in the historical center of Vilnius. The buildings and faculties of Vilnius University are located here and in several other parts of the city. Be sure to look into the courtyard of the university, it is saturated with the atmosphere of antiquity and at the same time modernity, due to the fact that every year thousands and thousands of young people open the doors of this educational institution.

Church of Saint John

In the architectural ensemble of Vilnius University buildings there is the Church of St. Johns, which, with its main facade, faces the Great University Yard. It is known that the church was built at the expense of Prince Oginsky.

To the right of the church there is a bell tower, which you can climb and see Vilnius from a bird's eye view.

Presidential palace

Next to Vilnius University is the Presidential Palace, which is the official residence of the current President of Lithuania. It was very unusual for us that there is no high fence and armed guards in the President's residence, you can safely walk and enjoy the architecture.

Also, concerts and folk art fairs are held near the Presidential Palace on weekends and holidays.

Church of the Holy Cross

Near Presidential Palace there is a small monastery church of the Holy Cross, which, according to legend, stands on the spot ancient monastery Franciscans, in whose honor the Three Crosses monument, which we spoke about above, was erected.

Literatu Street

Small, only 140 meters, Literatu Street, constantly attracts our attention. In each of our visits to Vilnius, we will definitely take a leisurely walk along it. Why is she so attractive?

Literatu Street is one of the oldest streets in Vilnius; bookstores which is why the street got its name. Now this narrow lane paved with paving stones, meandering in a broken line, connects Piles Street with the Church of St. Michael, to which we are now heading.

Church of St. Michael

The Church of St. Michael in Vilnius, to which we exit along Literatu Street, is interesting not only as an architectural monument of the 16th century, but also as a tomb of the Sapieha family, who financed the construction of the temple.

Church of Saint Anne and Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

And now we come to one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles of Vilnius, created by the churches of St. Anna and St. Francis of Assisi. The Church of St. Anne will not leave indifferent any tourist, only the style is “flaming gothic”, the old red brick from which it is made and the spiers of the temple aspiring upward are worth something.

You can talk about this church endlessly, but this is the case when it is better to see once than to read hundreds of pages about the church of St. Anna.

The church of St. Francis of Assisi adjoins the church of St. Anne. This is not its common name, more often it is called the Bernardine Church.

Near the churches, in the square, there is a monument to the famous Polish poet - Adam Mickiewicz.

Pilies street

One of the oldest, if not the oldest, is Piles Street, now perhaps the most popular place for all tourists in Vilnius. Pilies Street is ideal for leisurely walks thanks to the stone-paved paths and scenic views of the buildings. There is an abundance of restaurants, cafes, hotels, museums and galleries, as well as merchants of jewelry and souvenirs that you can bring from Vilnius.

Hostel Piles 16 . Rating - 8.7. The price is 7 euros.
Hotel Litinterp Vilnius 2*. Rating - 9.7. The price is 23 euros.
Best Location Old Town Pilies Avenue. Rating - 8.0. The price is 40 euros.
Sofijos apartamentai Old Town . Rating - 9.8. The price is 45 euros.

Cafe Soprano - the most delicious Italian ice cream in Vilnius.
Restaurant Forto Dvaras - the best zeppelins in town. This place is a must in Vilnius! You will not regret.
Marché de Provence is a good, expensive restaurant with European cuisine.

Read more about Lithuanian cuisine in this article:

Forto Dvaras restaurant in Vilnius is our favorite

What other sights of Vilnius to see

In principle, what we propose to reschedule for inspection on the 3rd day can easily be seen (if you refresh yourself with zeppelins) as part of the 2nd route, if you came to Vilnius for the weekend. But we prefer not to rush past interesting historical sites, but to walk slowly, stopping by and stopping near each attraction for a while.

Continuing along Pilies Street, we will examine the Pyatnitskaya Church and head to the Town Hall Square - another epicenter of Vilnius. We will examine the Church of St. Casimir, look through the Basilian Gate to the Church of the Holy Trinity. We will attend a children's performance in the Roman Catholic Church of St. Teresa and leave the old city through the gates of Aushros (Sharp gate).

Next, we will talk about the oldest market Vilnius and the sculpture of the Egg in one of the squares, and then having examined the Church of All Saints, the Choral Synagogue and the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we will finish our walk around Vilnius.

Pyatnitskaya Church

Heading towards Town Hall Square, at the crossroads of Pilies and DJyi streets we meet the first stone church in the city - Pyatnitskaya Church. This Orthodox church Vilnius is named after the Holy Martyr Praskeva Pyatnitsa.

Town Hall Square

Town Hall Square - one of the oldest squares in Vilnius, has a triangular shape and was formed due to the intersection of trade routes that led to the old city. The key building is the City Hall, and concerts, city fairs and holidays are held on the square itself.

The Town Hall Square area is very convenient for overnight stays while traveling. Therefore, we have selected a few good options housing, here they are:

Hostelgate Privates. Rating - 9.1. The price is 32 euros.
Old town heart apartment. Rating - 9.4. The price is 45 euros.
Hotel Domus Maria 3* . Rating - 8.7. The price is 56 euros.

Detailed review article cheap hotels in the center of Vilnius:

Well, according to tradition, a few places from public catering, where you should definitely go in this area of the city:

Restaurant Amatininku Uzeiga is an excellent Lithuanian restaurant in an old country style.
Dirty Duck Pub - delicious burgers and good beer.
Markus ir Ko - very tasty steaks and a variety of desserts.

town hall

The key place on the square is occupied by the City Hall, the building of which has managed to visit both a theater and a museum in its history. Now the Vilnius Town Hall is a public institution where ceremonial meetings, celebrations are held public holidays, receptions of delegations, exhibitions and other events.

Church of St. Casimir

More recently, about a hundred years ago, it was the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas, but now the Roman Catholic Church of St. Casimir belongs to the Jesuit Order. Interest in the architecture of the church is caused by the dome, which is the first built in Vilnius and at the same time the largest in the city - 17 meters in diameter.

basilian gate

Walking further down DJi Street, we can see the Basilian Gate, behind which is the Church of the Holy Trinity, or as it is more commonly called, the Trinity Church. It is noteworthy that it is in this Greek Catholic church that services are held in the Belarusian language, and the style in which it is built is Belarusian Gothic.

Holy Spirit Church

The Church of the Holy Spirit and the monastery are located near the Sharp gate in the old town. It was this temple that for many years represented the interests of Orthodoxy in Vilnius, and M. Lomonosov studied in the school built at the monastery.

Roman Catholic Church of Saint Teresa

There is also the Church of St. Teresa, made in the Baroque style, its main facade is richly decorated with granite, red and black marble.

Services are held in the church in Latin, Lithuanian and Polish. We also got to one of them and imprinted in our memory a children's performance in white clothes.

Aushros Gate (Sharp gate)

So we come to one of the main, if not the main sights of Vilnius, not only an architectural monument, but also an object religious significance- Sharp brame. Aushros Gate, as the Sharp Gate is also called, is the only surviving gate from the ancient city wall of Vilnius.

On the second level of the gate there is a chapel with a miraculous image of the Mother of God.

In principle, if we go outside the gate, we will find ourselves outside the old city, so this could be the end of our acquaintance with Vilnius. But since we are not looking for easy ways, we suggest going further and seeing some more interesting sights of the city.

Hales Turgus Market

One of them is the Hales Turgus market. This market is one of the oldest in Vilnius. After the reconstruction, the architecture of the building acquired airiness, thanks to panoramic glazing. You can buy a lot of things here - vegetables, fruits, meat, cheeses, fish, dairy products, as well as things and industrial goods are sold separately. Nearby there is parking and a cafe.

Sculpture Easter Egg

Turning from the market onto Pilimo Street, we find interesting sculpture in the form of an egg. This 300 kilogram painted egg is a gift from the Republic of Užupis to the city. The Easter Egg sculpture appeared at this place not by chance, earlier there was a bird market at this place, which was a place of attraction for a huge number of people.

Church of All Saints

Continuing along Pilimo Street, we can see the beautiful old Church of All Saints, which, together with the Carmelite monastery, forms architectural ensemble this part of the city.

Choral synagogue

Here, on Pilimo Street, there is the only surviving choral synagogue in Vilnius. It is used by that part of the small Jewish community that remained in the city.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Well, let's finish sightseeing in Vilnius at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is better known as a Franciscan church - one of the oldest Catholic churches in Vilnius. The church with a chapel adjoining it occupies a large, very well-groomed area where you can relax in the shade of tall trees.

Map of Vilnius with marks of sights

Well, in conclusion, what I want to say is that it’s definitely worth a trip to Vilnius at least once, not only to see all its sights, but also to feel the atmosphere of the city, thanks to which we return there every time, again and again. And we will definitely go again!

To tell you the truth, I didn't originally intend to write this material. Tanya and I went to Vilnius just to unwind, walk around the old town, drink wine with cheap shrimp and just have a good couple of days off. It was not a "blogging" trip, but just a short trip to the city, where we have already been countless times. Therefore, this article appeared largely spontaneously. I will not go into details, but it seems to me that I can no longer write nothing.

But, okay... I should probably leave behind the scenes all these lengthy reflections and quickly get to the point. In this review, I will try to show you Vilnius the way I see it, tell you about the main attractions of this city and those places that I especially like to visit myself. I warn you right away, there will not be a word about OZAS, Akropolis and other places that people like to visit so much Belarusian tourists. Only real city, only real Vilnius. I will try to prove to you that this city can be interesting not only because of its airport and local shopping centers.

Gedemina's Tower

This is one of the main symbols of Vilnius, so let's start with it. A low brown brick tower stands on castle hill(hill) in the heart of the city. On one side are the red roofs of the old city. And on the other side you can see the stylish skyscrapers of the Vilnius city. Even in cool weather on the "mountain" it blows very strongly. IN last time there, I generally felt like Mary Poppins. If I had an umbrella in my hands then, I would definitely be flying somewhere in the sky over the Baltics now.

Although in spite of everything, it is still worth climbing Gedemina Hill. There is a great view from its platform. And the Gedemina Tower itself looks very stylish and photogenic. Photographing her is a pleasure. The contrast between old and new Vilnius is felt here like nowhere else.

Cathedral Square

Another one from central places Lithuanian capital. If someone suddenly does not know, this square begins right at the hill with the tower of Gedemin. In the very center of it stands the white building of the Cathedral and the pointed bell tower, which for some reason (don't laugh) always reminds me of a pencil. Next to the cathedral (more precisely, right behind it) is the recently recreated Palace of Rulers and a monument to Prince Gedemin. All this you will not miss. Therefore, I will not write anything more about them.

A completely different thing is a small tile with the inscription "Stebuklas" ("Miracle"). Here it is, indeed, you can not notice. It is located just a few meters from the Vilnius bell tower. It is believed that the well-known action Baltic Way began from this place, in which 2 million inhabitants of the Baltic countries joined hands, forming a human chain from Vilnius to Tallinn. Thus, the inhabitants of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia wanted to show the whole world their unity in their desire for independence from the USSR. Which is what happened in the end.

Today, this tile with the inscription "Miracle" is considered something like an informal landmark of Vilnius, plus a sort of special place for the fulfillment of desires. Stand on it, turn around your axis three times (like Nikolai Tsiskaridze), make a wish and wait. I ordered the return of the dinosaurs. While I'm waiting.

Vilnius Old Town

I agree, it's such a broad term. You can walk along the streets of "senamiestis" for a long time. If you want some specifics, remember at least three names for yourself - Piles gatve, Skapo gatve and Gedemina Avenue. The first street ("Castle") is considered one of the oldest in the city. There are a lot of different souvenir shops, cafes and other tourist rubbish.

The second (Scapo) is already an attraction in itself. The thing is that it is she who is considered the most narrow street Vilnius, and therefore it is very cool to take pictures here. To find it, focus on the very Pilies street - Skapo gatve is one of its branches. Well, Gedemina Avenue you will not miss. This is one of the central arteries of the Lithuanian capital. During periods of various holidays (such as Kaziukas, for example), mass festivities take place here. And the rest of the time it's just very beautiful. I like.

Plus, keep in mind that it is on Gedemina Avenue that you can eat cheaply and drink coffee at such tables in the Go9 shopping center.

The thing is that these tables are right next to the RIMI chain store. Go to the local culinary, take yourself a salad, cheese, coffee - and go to these very tables. By the way, there will also be a free toilet on the right along the course. I think that this information will also be useful.

Užupis

Uzhupis ... Apple Republic or simply the Republic of the District. A non-standard attraction, but at the same time simply - one of the most creative, colorful and eccentric districts of the Lithuanian capital. Back in the 90s, a local declaration of independence was signed here. The Republic of Užupis declared itself a separate country, but at the same time, rather, set the goal of standing out rather than separating. The most creative and “gouging” quarter of Vilnius has its own president, flag, coat of arms, and even its own constitution. It was placed on the wall of one of the buildings, translated into many languages and subsequently began to be regularly shown to tourists. At the moment, even the inhabitants of the “republic” themselves proudly call the constitution of Užupis the most stupid constitution in the world. Trust me, I'm not kidding. It's almost official.

Venera Bezrukova...

If someone is interested in reading more about what the Republic of the District is, just below I will post a link to one of my old articles, entirely devoted to this place. I wrote it two years ago, but little has changed in Užupis since then. We checked. The most unusual quarter of Vilnius is still as strange, cheerful and vibrant as ever.

Anton Borodachev and other aliens. "Live and prosper, inhabitants of the earth."

If you are in the capital of Lithuania, be sure to check it out. I do not promise that you will fall in love with him, but he is guaranteed not to leave you indifferent.

Church of St. Anne

One of the oldest churches in the Lithuanian capital. It is located just near the Republic of Zarechye. You can see him well. Like Armenian church standing a few hundred meters away from him.

I won't write more about them. The article is already voluminous. I'll try to be brief next.

Vilnius University building

One of the most famous and one of the oldest universities in Eastern Europe. It includes the oldest library in Lithuania, its own personal church, a botanical garden, and that's not to mention as many as 12 faculties and seven institutes equated to them. IN different years many famous figures of Belarus and Lithuania from Ignat Domeiko to Adam Mickiewicz studied in this place.

At the moment, the entrance to Vilnius University and its interior halls paid (1.5 euros). But every tourist can get there. Without exams.

Town Hall Square

Another important place on the map of the Lithuanian capital. Here is the building of the Vilnius Town Hall, the Church of St. Casimir and (what is most interesting) a small house at number 19, where the famous Belarusian educator Francysk Skaryna once worked.

There is even a memorial plaque on the facade of the building in his honor. All in all, don't miss out. Still, our Francis is a prominent guy.

Basilian Monastery and the "Gate of Dawn"

Brama's appearance

Aushros Gate or Sharp Gate, as they are also called, is one of the main pilgrimage sites on the map of the Lithuanian capital. Once these gates were part of a large fortress wall that surrounded the city, and today they have become one of the city's attractions. In addition to the gate itself, a part of the Sharp Gate is also a chapel with the icon of the Mother of God of Ostrobramskaya. The icon is considered miraculous and is revered as one of the most important shrines on the territory of modern Lithuania. Over the years, her references were found in the works of many Belarusian classics - from Mickiewicz to Bogdanovich and Syrokomlya.

Interior view of Brama

Literally a couple of hundred meters from the Ostroy Brama is the complex of the Basilian Monastery and the Church of the Holy Trinity. This is also a very beautiful place.

I hope one photo will be enough for you to appreciate it.

Other sights of Vilnius

If you list separately each of the churches of the Lithuanian capital, this article will turn into a huge tome. Just walk around Vilnius and look around - different churches and cathedrals will come across to you one after another. Don't get attached to anything in particular. And very soon you will have your own favorite places in Lithuanian capital.

For me personally, this place is local museum of modern art(on Wednesdays admission is free), as well as a small street calledliterature. Hmm... I know how strange it sounds, but this street reminds me of an old hipster - with bright graffiti instead of tattoos, and a bunch of little plaques with the names of various artists. They are even somewhat similar to the Portuguese azulejos.

I also always liked vilnius city, Church of Peter and Paul, but up to the quarter Zverynas(similar to an old village with an abundance of wooden houses) I still can’t get there. I’ll also take the local TV tower. This is definitely an attraction that can be left for later.

Church of Peter and Paul

In general, you can see Vilnius in a calm rhythm in 2-3 days. Three is even with a margin. You can set aside this day for a trip to Trakai. There is one and a half castles, and you can get there from Vilnius in just half an hour.

In fact, Trakai is such an addition to Vilnius. We were there once - a detailed story about this trip, you can read below. And I will end with these words. Write in the comments if I forgot something.

How to organize an independent trip to Vilnius

Transport. There are many different ways to get to Lithuania. The best option is bus or train. The first one is cheaper, but can get a little stuck at the border. The second one usually gets to Vilnius on time. Yes, and it is more comfortable to ride, as for me.

You can buy bus tickets and see the flight schedule or here on this site. Train tickets are sold online. poezd.rw.by. Of course, all tickets can also be bought at specialized ticket offices.

Hotels. To find them, I advise you to use sites such as RoomGuru and Hotellook. I will note right away that these sites themselves do not rent anything. They just check the prices on different booking sites and in a couple of minutes show you which one of them is the cheapest for a particular room. Believe me, on conditional Booking and Ostrovka the same room can cost completely different. Therefore, such platforms as those that I mentioned above are needed. With their help, you can always find the best prices. All you have to do after that is just go to the site that offers the best rates and complete the booking.

Apartments. Very often they are not only more comfortable, but also cheaper than hotel rooms. The best place to look for them is on the AIRBNB website. Register in the system here at this link and you will immediately receive a small bonus on your booking.

As for us personally, for the duration of this trip we rented a very stylish loft for 23 euros per day. You can find a detailed review of this apartment at the link below.

insurance. Walking around Vilnius is not a particularly extreme thing, so insurance policies can be completely neglected here. They are rarely asked at the border. You may need such documents only when contacting the embassy. Well, or for personal peace of mind. If you are planning to buy insurance, the main thing is not to grab a “pig in a poke” and do not buy policies near embassies. Better use for these purposes. On this site, 16 different insurances are collected at once. Enter the direction and dates of the trip - and the system itself will show which one is best for you personally in terms of price and quality. I personally always buy insurance on this site myself and even applied twice to clinics abroad. One such case is described. All the nuances of choosing insurance for Schengen are written in the article below.

Excursions. I don't really like to walk around the city with a guide, but I know that there are people who have the opposite opinion on this matter. And in general ... Now there are such author's tours, which I would like to join with pleasure. As an example, a beer tour of the best bars Vilnius. You can find such non-standard excursions in different parts of the world on sites such as and. I recommend that you use two of these sites at once (so there will be more choice). See what you like best.

Vilnius - amazing city in which time seems to freeze, or even completely turn back. TRIPMYDREAM will tell you about the treasures hidden in the Lithuanian capital.

The quarter with such a funny name (which, by the way, translates as "District") is the focus of creative bohemia, a kind of Montmartre in half with Christiania in one bottle, which the locals call the Republic of the District.

As in any state, it has its own constitution, president, currency and even customs. And also - a lot of various workshops, galleries and shops where you can find a nice hand made souvenir from local craftsmen. But the main thing is that you need to walk here: look at the intricately painted houses and no less intricately decorated windows, stop in front of the mirrored tablets with the charter of the Republic and examine the original monuments.

The Republic of Užupis is located not far from the Prechistensky Cathedral (address: Maironio g. 14), immediately behind which there is a bridge - it is he who leads to this realm of cheerful chaos.

To see the real Vilnius as it was in the old days, head to the oldest part of the Lithuanian capital - the Old Town. Its appearance strikes with a variety of architectural styles and eras (and it is not surprising, because it began to form in the Middle Ages), and there are probably more architectural monuments here than in the entire capital. Not a district, but a real open-air museum! Of the most-most places that must be visited are Castle Hill, Town Hall and Cathedral Square and the monument to Prince Gediminas.

Well, very very beautiful temple, which is definitely worth a visit to everyone who is going to Vilnius! The Church of Saints Peter and Paul, on Antakalnio gatve 1, makes a truly unforgettable impression: from the outside - a richly and exquisitely decorated facade in the Baroque style, and inside - impressive interior with gilding, stucco and statues (be sure to pay attention to sculptures depicting biblical scenes). Free admission.

Tip: it is best to visit the cathedral in the morning or afternoon on a weekday, when the parishioners are the least and no one bothers to enjoy the beauty in peace and quiet.

Do you want to find yourself in a real medieval Vilnius? Then go straight to the Vilna Castles - a complex of residences of Lithuanian princes, on the left bank of the Viliya River.

The Lower, Upper and Crooked Castles were built in the 13th-14th centuries, but only the tower and foundation of the Upper Castle, as well as the gate, bridge and entrance to the arsenal from the Lower one, have partially survived to this day. Nevertheless, this is a great place to feel the spirit of ancient Vilnius, and at the same time see the beautiful panorama of the city from the top of the Castle Hill.

Address: Arsenalo gatve 5. You can get here by buses No. 10, 11, 33 (Arkikatedra stop); 88, 89 (Sereikiškių parkas); 44 (Karaliaus Mindaugo tiltas) or trolleybus No. 14, 17, 2, 20, 3, 4 (Karaliaus Mindaugo tiltas).

The monument is located on a hill, which can be reached both on foot and by car. It symbolizes the desire of the Lithuanian people for freedom. From the observation platform near the Three Crosses, you can enjoy an excellent view of the Old Town and both banks of the Neris.

There are many in Vilnius old streets, at first glance inconspicuous, but fraught with some zest. Literatu Street is one of those. One of the oldest in Vilnius, it got its name from second-hand bookshops and printing houses that have been “lodging” here since the 19th century. And the famous poet Adam Mickiewicz once lived here.

But the most important thing in Literata, for which it is worth coming here, is its houses. Not only do many of them have an original shape, which makes the street look especially picturesque, but their walls are also decorated with plaques - wooden, glass and ceramic - with dedications to poets and writers of different times and peoples. So be sure to take the time to take a leisurely walk among the old houses and read them.

Get acquainted with amazing story you can find this solar stone in the museum dedicated to it. It contains the richest collection of this natural stone of all shapes, shades and sizes, and also the rarest amber with inclusions of insects and plants. The world's largest archaeological collection of amber, as well as jewelry made from it, will also be interesting.

Museum address: St. Mykolo gate 8

Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00

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